Researchers at Northwest Polytechnic University in China have made a huge breakthrough in helping the country’s 17 million visually impaired people. Their development of an AI guide dog using an AI language model holds great promise for providing navigation and communication.
Unlike cold machines, AI guides can understand human instructions and speak
This artificial intelligence guide dog goes beyond the limitations of previous electronic navigators. Unlike “cold machines” programmed to perform specific tasks, this AI companion can understand human instructions and even engage in conversation. The ability to navigate environments such as streets, elevators, and indoor spaces provides significant support in everyday activities.
“Intelligent guide dogs using a language model can offer them more convenient and safe navigation, effectively improving their quality of life,” said Sun Zhe, an associate professor at the university. Traditional guide dogs, while exceptional, are expensive to train and limited in availability in China.
The research team is still in the early stages of development, but their results, published in the Proceedings of the Chinese Computer Society, demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. This joint effort between the university and China Telecom’s Artificial Intelligence Research Institute has the potential to change the way visually impaired people navigate. Although a number of challenges remain before widespread adoption, the researchers are committed to further developing this technology. Their dedication could soon lead to improved quality of life and greater independence for millions of people.
